So you’re gearing up for Thanksgiving, the time when supermarkets practically—and sometimes, literally—give away turkeys in order to get you to shop in their stores. And unless you’re preparing for a vegan holiday meal, you’ll need to get your poultry order in stat. But then you look at the prices: This time of year, conventional turkeys can be purchased for as little as $.39 per pound, while at Williams Sonoma, a heritage turkey can ring up at nearly $200. Is it worth the price?
I think an organic heritage turkey is worth the investment. It’s free of pesticides, chemicals, antibiotics and GMOs—and it tastes better, too.
Yet despite what you might read online, turkeys are not given growth hormones: According to the Los Angeles Times, treating poultry with hormones has been illegal since the 1950s. However, if their packages read “basted” or “self-basted,” they might be injected with (probably GMO) partially hydrogenated soy or corn oil to increase flavor.
Although turkeys are indigenous to North America, today’s conventional birds have been bred for size—not evolutionary success. Because of this, they’re unable to reproduce naturally—with the exception of heritage turkeys. Here are the different types of heritage turkeys available for your Thanksgiving feast:
USDA Certified Organic turkeys are fed without pesticides, chemicals fertilizers, GMOs or synthetic ingredients—including antibiotics.
Non-GMO turkeys are raised without GMO feed.
Vegetarian-Fed birds live on a veggie diet.
Cage-Free turkeys are allowed out of their cages for 51% of their lives—but there is no restriction on how large that “outdoor” area should be.
Free-Range means the birds are not confined to cages—but that doesn’t mean they’re ranging on grass.
Pastured turkeys are raised without cages on grass and insects.
Day-Range means the birds are pastured during the day, and cooped at night without cages.
Kosher turkeys don’t have to be raised in a certain way; the way that they are slaughtered makes them kosher or not.
Simple, right? I know: Not so much. In my family, we go with a USDA Certified Organic, pastured, heritage turkey. It’s once a year, and to me it’s worth the investment to avoid antibiotics, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, GMOs and other synthetic ingredients. And yes it’s subjective, but we think it tastes better, too.
Photo: Modern Farmer
Not killing an innocent animal would be the best choice of all. Thanksgiving is about family, thankfulness, and turkey is surrounded by so many wonderful side dishes. Hard for me to fathom someone choosing their appetite over suffering.
Thanks for sharing, Kathie. I appreciate your perspective!
i agree. no blood and violence on a day of gratitude. i keep hearing about something called a ‘field roast’. gonna have to track it down and try it out this year.
That is an interesting idea, will you let us know when you find out more? Thanks!
Hi Rachel,
Thank you for your informative article! Would you tell me where you purchase your pastured USDA Organic Heritage turkey? Thank you.
Sincerely,
Catherine